Antonio Miniello was born in Ripalimosani, Molise in 1845. Because of the dire living conditions due to the Italian Civil War, all five of his siblings died as infants ( a not too uncommon event).

In 1888 Antonio left his wife Philomena Iacobucci (Busso, Molise) and 5 year old daughter Maria and headed to America. He traveled with 15 other men from Ripalimosani and Busso. Antonio made his way to Evansville, Indiana where his cousins Antonio and Michele Mancini were already living.

After working for two years and saving his money, Antonio returned to Italy in 1890 and he, his pregnant wife, and daughter returned to America in 1891. After staying with friends in New York for several months, they made their way to Evansville. During the next three years, four of Antonio's cousins would also make the trip from Ripalimosani to Evansville.